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Fashion designer Katie Taylor<\/strong>, born Katie Perry<\/strong>, is celebrating a legal victory.<\/p>\n The Sydney fashion designer behind the Katie Perry<\/em> label has won in a trademark dispute with Katy Perry<\/strong> after nearly 17 years.<\/p>\n Keep reading to find out more\u2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Australia\u2019s high court found that the fashion label did not breach trademark laws and was not likely to cause confusion, regardless of the singer\u2019s reputation when it was registered, per The Guardian.<\/a><\/p>\n She applied to register as a business name in April of 2007, then applied to register the \u201cKatie Perry<\/strong>\u201d trademark for the sale of clothes in September 2008. When Katy <\/strong>performed in Australia later that year, her team created an online store selling \u201cKaty Perry<\/strong>\u201d branded merch.<\/p>\n In May 2009, Katy<\/strong> filed a notice of opposition to the registration of the trademark and sent cease and desist letters, and from there, a long legal battle ensued.<\/p>\n Katie Perry issued a statement on social media after the ruling.<\/p>\n \u201cHi, I\u2019m Katie Perry<\/strong> and here is an official statement from me. My High Court victory in trademark battle with a global pop star. I\u2019m Katie Perry<\/strong>. I\u2019m a Sydney based fashion designer and I\u2019m founder of the Australian made label Katie Perry<\/em>. This week, I secured a landmark victory in the High Court of Australia,\u201d the designer shared in a TikTok.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been a long running trademark dispute with the international pop star Katy Perry<\/strong>. Many people have described this case as a David and Goliath battle. A small Australian business defeating and defending its intellectual property against a global celebrity brand. This has been an incredibly long and really difficult journey. But this week confirms what I\u2019ve always believed in, that trademarks matter for all, and they\u2019re there to protect businesses of all sizes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo how it all began? I launched my fashion label in 2007, designing and manufacturing Australian made loungewear under the name that I was born with, Katie Perry<\/strong>. Like many small business owners, I followed this recommended steps established by the government\u2026I registered a business name and I registered a trademark. In 2009. lawyers representing the American singer Katy Perry<\/strong> contacted me with a cease and desist letter. \u2018Stop sale of your clothes, stop your website and stop any advertising material.\u2019 At the time, I thought I was gonna lose everything,\u201d she went on to say.<\/p>\n \u201cI was simply building a fashion business under the name I was born with. The singer\u2019s team initially opposed my trademark registration but withdrew opposition shortly before a scheduled hearing in 2009. This case eventually led to a federal court hearing in 2021 where I endured a brutal cross examination. In April 2023, the Federal Court of Australia ruled in my favor, finding that certain sales of merchandise by one of the singer\u2019s associated companies had infringed my Australian trademark. The court also dismissed a cross claim to cancel my trademark brought by the singer company. Shortly after the ruling, the singer chose to appeal the decision, extending what had already been a very long legal battle. The appeal was successful, meaning that the case continued on to the High Court.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFollowing the appeal, the matter ultimately reached the High Court of Australia, our nation\u2019s highest court. For me, the High Court decision represents a significant achievement after more than a decade of legal proceedings. As a small business owner, a mother of two young kids, this process has been incredibly demanding. There were moments that were emotionally exhausting but I believed in standing up for my values, for my business and for justice. My fashion label is proudly 100% Australian made, and it\u2019s handmade here in Sydney. I focus on sustainable fabrics and small batch production that supports local makers and Australian manufacturing. Creating clothing locally, and supporting Australian industry has always been at the heart of what I do and it\u2019s something I am incredibly proud of. I hope this decision sends an important message for the rights of small businesses everywhere. I have always believed that trademarks are there to protect all businesses, whether they are small, local brands or large global companies. This decision shows that even a small Australian business can stand up for their rights.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis case is more than just a name. This case is about protecting small businesses in Australia, standing up for what is right and showing that we all matter,\u201d she concluded. Watch above.<\/p>\n After the ruling, a spokesperson for Katy <\/strong>said via The Guardian<\/a><\/em>: \u201cKaty Perry <\/strong>has never sought to close down Ms. Taylor<\/strong>\u2019s business or stop her selling clothes under the KATIE PERRY<\/em> label. Today, by a 3:2 decision, the high court determined that Ms. Taylor<\/strong>\u2019s trademark can remain on the register. The court [also] sent the case back to the Full Federal Court to determine issues raised by Katy Perry<\/strong>, including Ms. Taylor<\/strong>\u2019s 10-year delay in bringing her case against Katy Perry<\/strong>.\u201d <\/p>\n Katy<\/strong> just shared rare photos with beau Justin Trudeau<\/strong>.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n